Here are the biggest storylines and the upcoming schedule for the New York Islanders for the week of Dec 28-Jan 3.
Ilya Sorokin Placed on IR; Rittich Steps Up
The biggest concern for the Islanders is the status of franchise goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who was placed on injured reserve (retroactive to Dec. 20) with a lower-body injury. Originally described as a “nagging issue,” the move to IR guarantees he will miss at least a week of action, though he is eligible to return as early as the Dec. 28 game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets if healthy.
Backup goaltender David Rittich has performed admirably in Sorokin’s absence, including a shutout victory over the New York Rangers on Dec. 27. He is expected to carry the load this week if Sorokin remains sidelined.
Bo Horvat Returns to the Lineup
Top-line center and leading scorer Bo Horvat made his return to the ice on Dec. 27 against the Rangers after missing five games with a lower-body injury. His return is a massive boost for an offense that had struggled to score in his absence. Horvat immediately resumed his role on the top line and special teams units.
Anders Lee Chasing 300 Goals
Captain Anders Lee is on the verge of a major career milestone. After scoring in the recent win against the Rangers, he now sits at 299 career goals. He enters this week looking for just one more tally to become the fifth player in franchise history to reach the 300-goal mark.
The Tight Metropolitan Division Race
The Islanders are currently embroiled in a tightly contested race for the Metropolitan Division crown. They are sitting second in the division, but the gap between the top spot (Carolina Hurricanes) and the wildcard teams is incredibly narrow. Every game this week — especially against struggling teams like Columbus and Chicago — is critical for banking points.
Islanders Schedule Dec 28 – Jan 3
| Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | Location | TV / Broadcast |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | 5:00 PM | @ Columbus Blue Jackets | Nationwide Arena | MSGS, FDSO |
| Tue, Dec. 30 | 8:30 PM | @ Chicago Blackhawks | United Center | NHLN, MSGS |
| Thu, Jan. 1 | 3:00 PM | vs. Utah Hockey Club | UBS Arena | NHLN, MSGS |
| Sat, Jan. 3 | 7:00 PM | vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | UBS Arena | MSGS, NHLN |
AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
